GRE and GMAT

GRE and GMAT-A Comparison

The GRE and GMAT are both
standardized tests that are conducted for those individuals who are
aiming for higher education mostly in the English speaking countries of
the world. The comparison between the two exams is a topic that often
comes up when candidates want to choose between the two tests so that
they can take the test that best suits their requirements. Nonetheless,
their comparison is good to know even for general interest. The
following is a tabulated comparison of a few aspects of both the tests:

Point of Comparison

GRE

GMAT

Name

Graduate Record Examination

Graduate Management Admission Test

Purpose/Aim

To assess the ability and aptitude of individuals for graduate programs mainly in the US and Canada.

To assess the ability and aptitude of individuals for management programs mainly in the US and Canada.

Difficulty Level

The GRE tests the individual's ability through questions that are
equally or similarly difficult. The questions may seem difficult or
easy for different individuals but, they have not been designed in an
irregular way. The questions are
common for all individuals taking the test. They are not altered
according to the capabilities of the individuals, taking the test. Due
to this parity in the level of difficulty, while taking the test,
candidates can go back and answer questions or reconsider their answers
and go back to change them. There is no restriction for reviewing in
the test.

The GMAT questions are designed in a way that their levels of
difficulty increases or decreases as candidates answer them. The
questions
follow a pattern where moderately difficult questions are asked first.
This is done to determine the level of proficiency of candidates. After
the assessment of the candidate is over, the test progresses further
based on the determined difficulty level. Due to this reason,
candidates cannot repeat a question in the GMAT or keep questions for
reconsideration.

Areas of Focus

English, Mathematics and Data Analysis are the main subjects of
the GRE test with a clear focus given to English and Verbal skills.

It is focussed on those subjects that are commonly required for any
graduate program that uses the test scores for admissions.GRE scores
are generally not used for admissions in management or business
schools.

English, Mathematics and Data Analysis are the main subjects but there is a clear focus on Mathematics and Data analysis.

It is focussed on specific business and management oriented topics.

Test Sections

Verbal Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

Analytical Writing

Analytical Writing Assessment

Quantitative Section

Verbal Ability Section

Unique aspect

In the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE, a lot of questions
require candidates to compare between two given arguments before
answering them. These kinds of quantitative comparisons are a unique
feature of the GRE test.

In the Quantitative Section of the test, there is a unique
format of test questions which can be seen mostly or rather only in the
GMAT. These questions require candidates to assess two sets of data and
then answer whether the data stands true, singularly, together, in part or if there isn't enough data to answer the question.

Candidates sometimes find these GMAT questions very intimidating.

As it is evident by the above-mentioned respective sections of the two tests,
in certain respects they can be called the two sides of the same coin.
Both the tests try to ascertain how academically proficient an
individual is in the basics of the English language, Mathematics and
skills pertaining to Data Interpretation. Through their Writing
sections also test an individual's
capacity for creativity and the ability to think out-of-the-box.
Mathematical understanding and speed in numerical calculations is also
the key to excel in both these tests. Both the tests do
not consider the actual total scores of the candidates taking the test
but statistically derive their scores from the actual total scores.
These derived scored are expressed in different ways like averages and
percentiles but, depict the same thing and that is; a comparative
analysis of an individual with respect to all the other test-takers.

Their scores
may be considered together during admissions in certain colleges and
institutes. However, candidates need to remember that prior to taking
these tests, they should check with their prospective colleges and
institutes to know which test scores they would consider on priority.
Candidates also need to understand that there is no such thing as an
easy or difficult test. Tests are subjective to the individuals taking
the tests and therefore, they both can be called equally difficult or equally simple tests.